The words "report" and "account" are often confused, but they have distinct meanings. A "report" is a formal statement of facts or findings, often presented in a structured way. An "account" is a description or narrative of an event or experience, which can be formal or informal. The key difference lies in the level of formality and the purpose of the writing. Reports tend to focus on objective information, while accounts can be more subjective and focus on personal perspectives.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Report: "The police report detailed the events of the accident." (This means a formal written statement of the accident was created by the police.)

• Account: "He gave a detailed account of his travels in South America." (This means he described his experiences travelling.)

• Report: "The scientist submitted a report on her research findings." (The report was a formal summary of the research.)

• Account: "Her account of the meeting was quite different from his." (Each person presented a different description of the meeting.)

• Report: "The financial report showed a significant profit increase." (This refers to a formal document showing financial data.)

• Account: "We need to take account of all potential risks before starting the project." (This means we must consider all possible risks.)

Notice that "account" can also be used as a verb meaning 'to consider something'.

Let's look at another example to highlight the difference more clearly. Imagine a school trip. A teacher might write a report on the overall success and safety of the trip. A student might write an account of their personal experiences and observations on the same trip. Both are descriptions of the trip, but they have different purposes and styles.

Happy learning!